Michael Jackson’s estate denounces ‘outrageous’ Sundance documentary about child sexual abuse claims
Written by MaxFM on January 10, 2019
Michael Jackson’s team has hit out about a new documentary headed for Sundance in two weeks’ time.
Leaving Neverland, a film from the perspective of two of his sexual abuse accusers, is being called ‘outrageous and exploitative.’
Sundance Film Festival added the Dan Reed documentary to the schedule on Wednesday, revealing that two as-yet-unnamed men will give accounts of alleged historic abuse at the ages of 7 and 10.
Representatives told TMZ: ‘This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson.’
The statement added: ‘The so-called documentary is just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations. It’s baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve himself with this project.’
The two men, now in their 30s, will reportedly share claims about life on Michael’s Neverland Valley Ranch in the 1990s.
In 2013, choreographer Wade Robson tried to file a lawsuit against Michael Jackson’s estate that was eventually dismissed in 2017.
Jimmy Safechuck joined the lawsuit in 2014, claiming he was sexually abused in 1988.
In July 2017, a manhunt was launched to find Jordan Chandler, the first boy to accuse Michael Jackson of child abuse, with lawyers in Safechuck and Robson’s case demanding that he testify in court.
The explosive lawsuit claimed Michael Jackson and key staffers at MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures ran a ‘sophisticated child sexual abuse procurement and facilitation operation.
It was thrown out when the judge ruled that the men had ‘waited too long’ to file legal action.
Michael was acquitted on molestation charges involving another minor during a criminal trial before his death in 2005.
Robson testified under oath that he was never abused at the trial and Safechuck had also previously denied that he was ever abused by Michael, right up until joining Robson’s suit in 2014.
Leaving Neverland has been added to the premiere schedule for the film festival later this month along with a film about President Trump called The Brink.
